PlayStation Classic vs. NES Classic Edition

With a few mini retro consoles released over recent years, allow me to compare Sony's and Nintendo's debut bite-sized hardware.

I forgot just how awesome R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 is

Hardware

For starters, both of these consoles are very similar: they each have power and reset buttons, they both don't open, and they're powered by micro USB and have HDMI output. The PlayStation Classic also has an open button which is usable in Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy VII when you're prompted to change discs. Both consoles look great and are perfect representations of their original hardware. The only major difference is the controllers and both of them are fantastic and feel authentic. However, the controller ports on the PlayStation Classic look much cooler and have a more universal USB connection while the controller ports on the NES Classic Edition stand out like a sore thumb. On the plus side, you can plug the NES controllers into a Wii Remote in order to play Virtual Console games. Although it's close, I'd say PlayStation Classic has better hardware by a slight margin.

Features

Both consoles have similar interfaces as they each allow you to suspend and resume your game and easily cycle through the games. One thing I find annoying is that the consoles don't have any game manuals. Instead, they show you a URL and QR code in order to access them which feels cheap. Anyway, the PlayStation Classic features a virtual memory card for each game which is quite nifty. However, the NES Classic Edition allows for up to 4 suspend points per game as well as various display options while the PlayStation Classic has none. Although I appreciate the authentically styled menus of the PlayStation Classic, the NES Classic Edition easily wins here.

They may be tiny but they're packed with games!

Must-have games

The PlayStation Classic includes a bunch of top-notch experiences such as the awesome Metal Gear Solid, the super-fun 2D platformer Rayman, and the classic RPG Final Fantasy VII. Plus, Tekken 3 and R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 remain 2 of the best examples of arcade fighting and racing games. Also, being able to revisit the origins of Persona and Resident Evil as well as the vehicle-based mayhem in Twisted Metal, Destruction Derby, and Grand Theft Auto makes for a ton of fun.

Meanwhile, the NES Classic Edition comes with many games that you'd expect such as the 8-bit Super Mario Bros. trilogy, both Legend of Zelda games, Metroid, and Kirby's Adventure. Some unexpected yet welcome additions are the first 2 Castlevania games (although Simon's Quest isn't the best), the highly underrated Kid Icarus, the frustrating yet fun Ninja Gaiden, the timeless racer Excitebike, and even Mega Man 2. Because the NES Classic Edition contains so many timeless classics, it wins here although it's a close call.

Hidden gems

First up, the NES Classic Edition contains a few incredible hidden gems such as the Zelda-inspired StarTropics as well as some cool arcade adaptations such as Bubble Bobble, Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr., Gradius, Galaga, Balloon Fight, Tecmo Bowl, the original Mario Bros., and Pac-Man. On top of all that, there are a few games that are great fun with friends like Dr. Mario, Super C, Ice Climber, and Double Dragon II. On the other hand, the PlayStation Classic includes a couple of the best puzzle games ever made: Mr. Driller and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo. Additionally, the often overlooked Jumping Flash is a superb first-person platformer, Intelligent Qube is a highly addictive practical puzzler, and Wild Arms is a wonderful old-school RPG. It's a difficult decision but the PlayStation Classic wins this category although all of the arcade game adaptations on the NES Classic Edition are definitely awesome.

Games don't get much cuter or more fun than Kirby's Adventure

This is the most difficult Versus piece I've written so far as both consoles are fantastic but I have to pick a winner and that is...

WinnerNES Classic Edition

Although Metal Gear Solid, R4: Ridge Racer Type 4, Mr. Driller, and Rayman are some of my favourite games of all time, there's no denying that the games in the NES Classic Edition feature more lasting appeal. In other words, if I was stranded on a deserted island then I'd rather play the original Super Mario Bros. and Zelda games. I'm also a sucker for arcade games and the NES Classic Edition definitely has its fair share of retro high score chasers. If the PlayStation Classic contained 10 more games and had as many features as the NES Classic Edition then it may have won but as it is, it doesn't quite live up to its 8-bit counterpart.

Larx (larxinostic): Savvy matchup! For me, 'tis obvious. Although I am largely a "PlayStation guy" by now, the NES Classic obliterates the competition to me. It oozes timeless classics, whereas the PSX redux skips around far too flightily for my liking. Granted, since I own darn near every single title included in each machine, I've little need for either. :p Thanks for the reprieve by eating our chill, by the by! It soared to 18 C the other day - yes, in winter. Praise be. I took my recently-acquired car out to the real park, with real trees and grass and a lake. No polygons/pixels! ^^ Totally played Ys: Origin all that evening, admittedly... IX cannot hit soon enough. Gimme Falcom forever.~

A.J. Maciejewski (crazyaejay): Do you hoard games, too? How many PS1 and NES games do you have? I have 174 and 139, respectively. Ewww, gross; there's a non-pixelated world? No thank you. I'd take anything Falcom makes over trees, grass, and sunshine.

Larx (larxinostic): Not really - I own about 65 on PS1 and 55 on NES. We were dirt-poor for ages, limiting my game acquisitions. I dare say my PS4's library shall swell into my largest for any platform, huh... Possibly even overtaking the mighty, mighty PS2's. :O Maybe. You must own ~60% of all games ever released, full props to you!

A.J. Maciejewski (crazyaejay): Haha, I wish! Although I am happy with my collection. Of course, like anyone who's been gaming for decades, I regret selling a bunch over the years.